Obituary of Bettie Emily Cooney
Bettie Emily Cooney
July 2, 1935 – January 24, 2023
The family announces with great sadness, the unexpected passing of Bettie Cooney (nee Kellett) in the early hours of Tuesday January 24, 2023 at Providence Manor.
Predeceased by her life companion Jewel Cooney, her sister Patricia Parisien, her brother Douglas Kellett, and grandson Matthew George.
Bettie leaves behind her sister Doreen (Eric) Leger, children Charlie (Frances) Cooney, Debbie (Chris) George, Diane (Myles) Reid and grandchildren Jessica (Brian), Kevin (Jackie), Becky (Scott), Nicole (Charles) and Melissa (Ryan).
Bettie started her working career as a telephone operator for Bell Canada in Bobcaygeon. She moved to Kingston where she met Jewel and together, they raised their family on Brant Ave. She continued her career at Queen’s University in the Food Services Department. Bettie and Jewel moved to Ajax where she worked for Saga Foods and then Roxborough Electric.
Bettie’s many talents included tole painting, stained glass, knitting, sewing and baking. Bettie unconditionally loved her children and grandchildren. She was determined to be the first one in the strawberry patch, from which numerous jars of jam and pies were made, without the use of recipes or measuring cups!
With cold toes and fingers, Bettie was an established curler, as well as a kitchen convenor of numerous bonspiels.
Bettie was an avid community volunteer: spending countless hours at the canteen at the Rockwood Asylum (Kingston Psychiatric Hospital), preparing and serving for numerous wedding receptions at Princess Street United Church as well as teaching Sunday School, and at St. Paul’s United Church (Ajax) where she was a dedicated folder of the weekly church bulletins. Who could forget the endless batches of delicious chocolate and maple fudge whipped up for school bake sales?
A lasting legacy that Bettie has instilled in her children and grandchildren was the love of reading.
Her beautiful smile will never be forgotten.
Enjoy your daily four o’clock rye and ginger with Jewel!
Reunited in heaven, dearly missed on earth, our entire family will miss her loving presence.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at Providence Manor for the compassionate care she received. As an expression of sympathy, donations in Bettie’s memory may be made to the Partners in Mission Food Bank or a charity of your choice.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at James Reid Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 1:00 – 2:00 pm with a service to follow. Interment at Cataraqui Cemetery with a reception in the Celebration Centre at James Reid Funeral Home.
